After investigating the questionable use of public funds by the Chatham County coroner’s office, the GBI has turned its findings over to the district attorney.

Special Agent in Charge Cathy Sapp said on Monday the report was submitted to District Attorney Meg Heap’s office after Sapp’s agency initiated the investigation in late December.

Sapp said she could not provide any details about its findings.

Heap said Thursday it could take about two weeks before a decision is made on how to proceed. She said she could not provide details of the report because the investigation is ongoing.

The GBI launched the investigation into questionable expenses stemming from the coroner’s office, following an internal county audit and the resignation of Dr. James C. Metts Jr.

Metts, 81, submitted his resignation on Dec. 14, about one month after being re-elected as coroner in an uncontested race. He held the position since 1973.

Metts and his attorney could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Following the audit, the county received two checks totaling $141,000 from Metts to resolve the “accounting discrepancies” discovered during the review.

Auditors cited at least $141,000 in expenses as “questionable” — including payments for a secretary that Metts did not have — although additional funds of almost $100,000 for secretary reimbursement could not be verified due to a lack of documentation.

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You're one smart cookie. You and I can see the writing on the wall. Metts and his slick attorney son will worm their way out of this mess. It's not what you know, it's who you know in the "Good Ole Boy Network," Savannah, GA. Hang with the Elites, and be protected for life!

Metts is in a Heap o' trouble, friends and fellow Commentators. He's the low hanging fruit for an easy conviction (having already stroked the rebate check) and will go without a fight. No, what I'm waiting on is for Mighty Meg to take on Rochelle Small-Toney after combing through that audit that no one can get their hands on. But don't look for the new DA to embroil herself in controversy so soon. Job One is to restore public confidence in the office. Slamming the door behind Metts is too easy; it's done.

Until you go to medical school or become a nurse, you need to remain quiet. There's nothing like a "KNOW IT ALL" that becomes a peacock and spreads their feathers to show what they know. You know Zilch, Nada, Nothing! Stick to what you know best - which is probably watching paint dry! Born and raised in Savannah, and I can damn well take care of myself. Wanna take me on? Meet me at Krogers, any Krogers - I'm show you how well I take of things! You name it, I'll be there! As for Metts, he deserves what he gets! Jail Time...

Was a hero to a lot of people that he gave money to that needed it, doesn't matter, he was a criminal that needed to be arrested. Nobody should be above the law, that is why we were founded as a nation of laws, not men.

How do you pay someone $100,000.00 for a secretary that doesn't exist , buts its questionable because you don't have documentation ???? where is the clown from the county who was signing checks , for a secretary that doesn't exist and now no record of the checks exist ?????? there are a lot more people who should be called out and hung on this one , who's running the accounting dept ? a crackhead with some flash cards ????????

I'm a little confused , was he handed a wad of money by someone from the county who said spend it like you want to , or did he submit expense reports to someone in the county who paid them without ever questioning them ????? Take a look at your list , would you not question why the county was reimbursing for this list , if you were in charge of the Money Yulb ?????? and I agree , he was a thief ! But I think some more heads should role , if a competent person was watching this and paying checks , you better believe they were getting their share of the pie also !!!!!!

Yulb , i hope you never have to realize , that when you reach the big time , innocence or guilt has nothing to do with a case , its all about a conviction at any cost ! Don't ever drink the Kool aid , even if its the only thing on the menu !

Meg Heap's husband is not a DA investigator. I agree with you that there is massive corruption in this county but make sure you have the facts straight before you start blowing the whistle. I know both of them and I can say with damn near 100% certainty that those two are not part of the problem with this county.

Clay Metts and Meg Heap worked together; they weren't going steady nor did they go to the prom. In fact, there isn't any love lost between them, so you can bet your bottom dollar that their former association will not matter one whit when Meg sends Doc down the river on the canoe that he whittled for himself. Metts' own mouth pronounced his sentence when he stroked the refund. All that's left for Meg to do is sign the papers.

As for my colleague Sug'itty firing a shot across Meg's bow: find another target, pal. If my reputation was as squeaky clean as Meg's, I'd run for mayor and beat Edna, like Meg took out Larry. Give the lady another 90 days before you start wringing your hands over her integrity. She's still cleaning up the mess after Hurricane Larry.